Typewriting machine



Aug. 31 1926.

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C. M. CREWS TYPEWRITING MACHINE Filed Sept. 26, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet l C. M. CREWS TYPEWRITING MACHINE Filed sept. 26, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 5y. JT

Patented ug. 3l, 1926.

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CLARENCE M.- CREWS, OF BROQKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR T 'UNDERWOOD TYPE- A WRITER COMPANY, 0F NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

TYPEWRITING MACHINE. v

` appncation mea septemberzs, i924. serial ne. 739,998.

This invention relates to condensed record typewriting, and particularly to the typing of short bills, such as gas-bills, concurrently with a condensed record-sheet.

It has been customary heretofore to write gas-billsl upon Vindividual cards or short forms which were first fed manually p through an addressing machine to be ad.- dressed and were then turned over to a typist to be typed successively in conjunction with Y a composite condensed record-sheet or subordinate web. It was necessary to insert each bill in the typewriting machine, type one line upon it, withdraw the bill, and linespace the platen to position the condensed record-sheet for the typing of .the next bill.

Y In accordance with the present invention, the bills are connected end to end into a long strip or web. The web is first fed automatically through an addressing machine with a very great saving of time over the former manual feeding. The web is then passed around the platen of a typewriting machine.

for typing a single line of entries on each bill in conjunction with a condensed recordsheet, the bills being typed in the same order in which they were addressed. At the conclusion of each bill the condensed recordsheet is advanced one line-space and the continuous bill-web is advanced one formlength to reposition the record-sheet and bill-web for typing of the next bill-form.

One feature of the invention relates to the provision of means in a typewriting machine for thus advancing the record-sheet and bill-web to reposition them in the machine and with relation to each other2 at a single operation. To this end provision is made of a `main web-feeder comprising a feeding couple independent of the platen and a sweep-handle having a one-waydriving connection. with the feeding couple to4 advance the bill-web a form-length at a single stroke .of the handle. The .bill-web is caused to pass freely around a portion of the platen that is free of co-operating feedrolls, and the subordinate webA or recordsheet, which is widerthn the bill-web, is controlled by feed-rolls running upon the platen beyondthe "sideedges of the bill-web. rll`he sweep-handle is als'oconnected toadvance the platen one line-space simulta- -neously with the sweeping forward of the.

bill-web a form-length. rl`hefbill-web and `the record-sheet are thus "fedu' different ing the feeding of the platen effected by ac-- tuation of said mechanism. It is a point, therefore, that the,I connections from the sweep-handle to the' laten are arranged to effect the platen-feeding in the rst part of the operation of the sweep-handle, and thereafter to permit the platen to remain stationary, while the sweep-handle completes its stroke, and that the stroleadjusting means are arranged to curtail or extend the latter portion of the stroke. In this way,

the stroke of the handle, and, therefore, the

extent of feed of the bill-web, may be ad' justed while the platen is still caused tobe advanced a line-space at every sweephandle stroke.

Insome classes of work, for example, where two lines of items are to be written upon each bill, it is desirable to ladvance the bill-web only a line-space, or a double linespace, between the first and second writing l1n e positions of a bill, and then to swee it forwardnearly a form-len -h to the liifst line of the next bill. yWhile the feeding ste s of the bill-Web will be alternately long an short, it is desired to feed the rcord sheet always the same distance. To this end, the connections between the sweep-handle and the platen are arranged to advance the platen a line-space during the first line-Space advance of the bill-web. In other words, the bill-web and the record-sheet are advancedv in unison for a line-space at the operation of the sweep-handle, after which the platen remains stationary and the advance of the bill-web is continued to any desired extent,

ldetermined by the positioning of suitable arresting means.

In order to assist in the rapid accomplishment of this class of work, provision is made of a second handle for o erating the Sweepmechanism,which hand e is normally limited to a double-line-space stroke, by engagement of the handle with a fixed stop, ibut may belimited to a singlelinefspace strokev by the positioning of an interpellent in front not said stop., vThe bill is advanced from itsI iirstto its second writing line position` bythe machine and relatively 'to each other.

To accommodatev the machine to the widest possible range, the web-f`eeding means is' constructed so that it may be adjusted for any `length of feeding step desired, that is, the adjustments are not limited to any definite line-space unit or multiplesthereof. To this end the connection between the sweephandle and the web-feeder is eiected through 'a universal clutch, constructed to pick up the feeder at any point to which it may have been advanced, and provision is made of means for controlling `the length of stroke of the sweep-handle. witlrmicrometric precision. l

Other features and advantages will hereinaftr appear. t In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a diagram showing the relative arrangement of successive entries on the bill-web and on the condensed record-sheet. Figure 2 is a front elevation of a part of a type-writing machine having the present improvements applied thereto.

Figure 3 is a sectional detail View of the means for adjusting the length of stroke of the platen-sweep handle.`

Figure 4 is a sectional side elevation of the mechanism shown in Figure 3. i

Figure 5 is a vertical section showing the left'end'of the platen-frame and of the webfeeder, the section kbeing taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a sectional side elevation showing the sweep-mechanism and the connections from said mechanism to the platen for line-spacing the latter. Figure 7 is a sectional side elevation showing particularly the short range advancing handle for the bill-web.

Figure 8is a sectional side elevation, partly broken away, of the clutch for effecting a one-way drivebetween the sweep-handle andJ the bill-Web-feeder, the sectionbeingtaken on the line 8?-8 of Figure 9. Figure 9 is a vertical sectional view show- ,ing the internal constructionl of the clutch and connected mechanism. Figure 10 is a sectional side elevation showing the parts in the positions occupied j "Movement of the handle 29 in the reverse diwhen the Sweep-handle has, been advanced: one line-space.

Figure 11 isa sectlonal side elevation showingrthe parts in the positions Occupied when the sweep-handle has been advanced to the full limitof its stroke.

The machine comprises a revoluble cylindrical platen 10, journaled by its axle 11 in the ends' 12 ofa platen-frame 13. that is carried by a carriage 14 that travels in lettereedand return directions upon front 4and rear rails .'15 and 16. of the machine-frame 17. Front 'and rear feed-rolls 18 cOLO-perate -with the lower side of the platenlO .to grip the margins vof a wide condensed record'- sheet 19 beyond the bounds of a relatively narrow continuous bill-web 20. There are no feed-rolls within the bounds of the billweb, so that the bill-.web is caused to pass freely around the platen outside of the condensed record-sheet. -Provision ismade of feed-rolls 21 and 22,mounted.on the brackets 23 and 23SL on the ends 12 of the platenframe, for advancing the bill-web` 20 relal.

tively to the 'platen 10 between the typing of successive entries. are mounted on a shaft 24, carried by swinging arms 25, and movable into and out of co-operative relation to the rear feed-roll 22. Double-acting coil-springs 26, connected to the arms 25and to the brackets 23 and 23", to cross dead center,'in the movement of the feed-rolls 21 between eiective and `ineffective positions, serve to maintain said rolls in either of said positions. The feedroll 22 is mounted upon an'axle 27 j ournaled in the brackets 23 and 23, and may be turned by a knob 28 at its left end. A sweephandle 29, journaled upon a shaft 30, carried-by the bracket 23 on thefright end of the platen-frame 13, is connected through suitable gearing to sweep ythe feed-roll 22 to advance the bill-web 2O a form-length when desired. This handle 29 is made fast to a gear-segment 31 also journald on the shaft 30, which meshes with a smaller gear 32 that is freely rotatable on the extremeright end of axle 27. Ihe small gear 32 is fast to onesmember 34 of a'ball-clutch 35, which effects a one-wa'y driving connection between the gear 32 and complemental clutch-member 36 fast to the axle 27. This clutch 35 is of a well-known form, and comprises balls 37 which are urged by springs 38 toward` the reduced ends of tapering recesses 39 in the clutch-member 34., to maintain a driv-= ing connection between the clutch-members 34 and 36. I IMovement of the platen-sweep handle 29 toward the operator, until it is ar` rested by engagement with a fixed stop 40 on bracket 23, will be effective to sweep the feed-rolls 21 and 22 to advance the bill-web a form-length rapidly. LOverfeeding of the bill-.web isprevented by a spring-retarder .41. that bearsl frictionally upon the axle 27.

rection -willvbe idle.. .Provision is made ofa spring 42` for returning said handle to its initial, normal,'posit19n,determned by en- The front feed-rolls 21` 'a finer degree. The teeth of the gear-segment 31 are arranged at line-space intervals,

and provision is made of means for connecting the handle to theV segment 31 `in any tooth-space thereof. Such means comprises a threaded pin 45, vFigure 3, extending "through the handle 29, a lockingV member 46 slidable on the pin and having teeth 47 to intert with the teeth of the gear-segment 31, and an index-pointer 48 upon it, and a nut 49 threaded onto the pin to retain said locking member 46 in co-operative relation vwith the gear-segment 31. A knurled headed screw 50, received in the handle 29, coacts with the fixed stop for limiting the forward movement of the handle. Microscopic adjustment of such forward move- `ment` may 'be effected by turning the screw 50. l v

It is desired to effect a line-space movement of the platen to line-spacethe condensed record-sheet 19 when the sweephandle 29 is drawn forward to sweep the bill-web 20 a form-length. To this end, provision is made of a ratchet-wheel 51 fast on the right end ofthe platen-axle 11, with whichk a pawl 52, carried yby aswinging arm 53, pivioted on the platen-axle, co-operates. An operating arm 54, pivoted on the bracket l 23,' has pin-and-slot connection with this swinging arm, 'to oscillate it to imparta vfeeding movement to the pawl. A lug 55 on the gear-segment 31 engages this operating arm 54 to impart thenecess'ary feeding movement to it in the initial portion of the advance of the sweep-handle 29, and, as has been previously stated, the parts are so designed and proportioned that a line-space advance is imparted to the platen 10 during the first'line-space advance of the rolls 21 and 22. During this time, the pawl 52 is in engagement with the ratchet-wheel 51,

. and the lug 55 is caused to travel along a vertical face of y,the operating arm 54 to swing said operating arm about its pivot, and thereby impart feeding movement toA @the pawl52 through the oscillating arm 53. At the end of a line-space advance of the fplaten, ajtail56, Figure 11,'on the `pawl. 52

engages apin 57 on the bracket 23 and rocks the pawl 52l about its pivot, out of engage-- ment with'the ratchet-wheel 51, so that the .f disengaged from j platen is permitted to remainidle during the further adfvanc'cfof the sweep-handle 29. At about the ysame time that the pawl 52 1s` the ratchet-wheel, the lug j on the gear-segment rides olf of the vertical face of f the operating arm 54, ,and

` Itravels along a cam-surface of said armr that is concentriclwith the Ashaft 30. 'The lug 55,

'where a definite number of lines is` to be written on everyl check. For doing this class of work, provision is made of a second handle 58 arranged to operate the sweepmechanism through a short range to advance the Work between successive lines on densed record-sheet for each advance of the web. The handle 58 is pivoted on the shaft 30. and is normally held at the upper limit of its movement against a stop 59 by a spring 60 connected to the tail of the handle and to the 'bracket 23. The handley 58 has a lug 61 to overlie a' projection 62 on the gearsegment 31so that as the handle is advanced, the gear-segment is rotated to operate both the web-sweeping mechanism and the platen-line-spacing mechanism described. A projecting stop 63 on the handle normally co-operates with a fixed stop'64 to limit the stroke of the handle 58 to two line-spaces (see the dot-and-dash position of Figure 7). It may be desired, however,

to` limit "the stroke of this handle 58 to a single line-space, in which case anl interponent 65, pivotedon the stop 64, may be swung intoposition to be effective. .When the interponent 65 is effective. the web and the record-sheet are simply fed'in unison by the web-feeding means and the platen, each being advanced a single line-space at a full actuation'of the handle'58.

It will be understood, eitherof the handles 29 and 58 may be used exclusively, or that they may be used in conjunctionwith each other, according to the requirements Vof the work, and that, in either case, the record-sheet will be linespaced at every actuation of either of the handles. The handle 58 has a horizontal arm 66 extending toward the left, by which its sheet-feeding movement is edected, and

a vertically-extending 'arm 67 which may be used for returning the carriage. The handle 29, which is considerably longer than the handle 58, has a` horizontal arm 68 extending toward the right, which it may be rotated, anda Vvert-ically-extending a1'nr69 which may be used for returning the carnage. j j

The exact feeding steps of the platen may be controlled in the usual manner by the cooperation of a detent 70, Figure 2, with the usual line-feeding ratchet 71 on the left end yof the platen-axleM 11. l rl`he platen'V 10 may be advanced, ify desired, independently. ofv

the same form, while line-spacing the conof course, that the web-feeding mechanism by rotation' of one of the platen-turning knobs 72, or by actuation of the usual line-space mechanism,

of which the ratchet-wheel 71 forms a part.

,In doing work which requires frequent advance of the inside sheet, relatively tothe outside sheet or web, provision may advantageously be made of a retarder or drag, to prevent misplacement of the outside sheet. This retarder-may consist' of av frictionclamp 7 3, carried by arms 7 4 fast oni-a shaft 75 that is revolubly mounted in the rolled upper end of the rear paper-table 76. A spring 77, Figure 6, connected to the rear papertable and to an arm of the clamp 7 3, holds the clamp with light pressure against the outside sheet or web on the rear paperto end, and having the addresses already the writing line 'of the second 4o' the bills have stamped thereon, is passed around the platen outside of the record-sheet 19 in a position to escape the feed-rolls 18, is led between the web-feeding rolls'21 and 22, and positioned at the writing line. A single line of entries is then typed on the first bill, and the sweephandle 29, which has been previously adjusted for the particular length of bill in use, is drawn forward a full stroke. p This line-spaces the record-sheet 19 and advances bill to the writing position in the machine. 'I liis sequence of operations is continued until all of been written.

In therese of bills or checks having two writing lines,the web is alternately fed from the 'second writing line of one form to the first writing line of the next by the sweephandle 29, and fromthe first to the second.

writing line by the short-range handle 56, the record-web being line-spaced concomitantly with each Aadvance of the web. In every case the carriage Mis returned by the handle that is used for feeding the web and record-sheet.

Variations may be resorted to within the scope of the inventions, and portions of the be used without others improvements may u Having thus described my invention, claim r 1.*In a typewriting machine for typing simultaneously upon a continuous main-web vand upon a continuous subordinate web, in

. combination, platen-'feeding means for the subordinate web, a separate'feedmg means i for the continuous mainweb and common operating means for :bothfeeding means oonstructed to sweep forward the continuous main web along distance, independently of the platen, and to platen-feed the subordinate web a short distance at a single sweep of said operating means.

2. In a typewriting machine for typing simultaneously upon a continuous main web and upon a continuous subordinate web, in combination, platen-feeding meansl for the subordinate web, an independent direct feeding means for thecontinuous main web, adjustableoperating means including a handle for the independent feeding means to ad- Vance the main web a predetermined length ata single oscillation of said handle, and means actuatedby said operating means to jointly advance the subordinate web a linespace by the-platen.l

3. In a typewriting machine ,for typing i single direct operation, and means operated, '-by the web-sweeping mechanism to, advance the subordinate web atfirst in unison with the main web for a line-space length, and then to release the-'subordinate web, during the furtherv sweep of the main web.

4. In a -typewriting machine for typing simultaneously upon a continuous main web and upon a continuous subordinate web, in combination, means to platen-feed the subordinate web, means to directly sweep the main weby forward concurrently with the platen-feed of the subordinate web and continue `the 'feeding sweep of the main web, and means to change the relative length of the sweep of the main web-feed without chznging the platen-feed of the subordinate we 5. Ina typewriting machine for typing simultaneously upon a continuous main web and upon a continuous subordinate web, in combination, means to directly sweep the continuous main web forward and simultaneously platen-feedthe subordinatey web a line-space, and means co-operative with the sweeping means to line-space the main web at will.

6. In a ty ewriting machinel for typing simultaneous y u on a continuous main web and upon a co combination,` manual means to directly swee the continuous main webforward and simv taneously to line-space the subordinate ensed subordinate web, in

manually operable means co-operative with the wb-sweeping means to jointly linespiililce both the main and subordinate webs at w 8. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a platen and feeding means cooperating with the platen to line-space an .inside web, of an independent feeding couple to advance an outside web relatively tothe inside web, manual sweeping mechanism for adjustably operating the independent couple to advance the outside web a long distance at a single operation, and manual means co-` operative with the sweeping mechanism to line-space the inside web a fixed distance.

9. In a typewriting machine, the combina-- tion of a platen, a pair of web-feeding rolls, sweep gearing for rapidly rotating the feed.- ing rolls to sweep the web forward, and a universal one-way clutch independent of the platen and directly connecting the sweep gearing to the feeding rolls to positively rotate the feeding rolls in one direction through distances of predetermined extent.

10. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a platen, a Web-feeding couple independent of the platen, sweep gearing for rapidly rotating the feeding couple, a oneway clutch positively connecting the sweep gearing to the feedingecouple, means to adjust the sweep of the gearing to continuouslly feed the web any predetermined lengthy and independent means co-operative with the sweep gearing to limit the sweeping movement thereof to a line-space feed of the web. f

11. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a platen and feed-rolls co-operating therewith, ofweb-feeding mechanism including a web-feeding couple independent of the platen, asweep gearing to positively rotate the feeding couple in a feeding direction, means co-operative with the feeding of the web-feeding couple to effect a line-feeding of the platen, and means cooperative with the swee gearing to jointly line-feed the web and p aten.

12. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a platen and feed-rolls co-operating therewith,.of a feeding couple independent of the platen, sweep -mechanism for operating the independent feeding couple comprising a handle, a sweep gear, and a universal one-way clutch, means for limiting the advancing movement of the. handle, means for 'limiting the return movement of the gear, and means for fixing the handle to the gear in various adjusted positions.

13. In a'typewriting mac ine, the combination with a laten and feed-rolls co-operat tlierewit of a feeding couple indepen ent of the platen, sweep mechanism for operating the independent feeding couple including a handle, a swee gear, and a uni versal one-way positive y-driven clutch,

l the means for limiting the advancing movement y of the handle, means for limiting the return pendent of the platen, sweep mechanism for operating the independent feeding couple comprising a handle, a sweep gear, and a universal one-way clutch, means for limiting the advancing movement of the handle, means for limiting the return movement of gear, means for adjusting' the handle relatively to the gear to change the stroke of the handle, and a stop-screw carried by the handle to engage the handle-limiting means for procuring micrometric adjustments of the stroke of thehandle. v

15. In a typewriting machine, the combination with. a carriage, a platen, and feedrolls co-operating with the platen, of an independent feeding couple', means comprising a handle for simultaneously sweeping the independent feeding couple forward and line-spacing the platen, and means compris- .ing a handle for simultaneously line-spacing `nai-row sheet, and a friction drag at the introductory side of the platen for yieldingly opposing advance of the outside sheet to prevent-its being drawn forward by the inside sheet when thek latter is advanced by the platen.

17. In a t pwriting machine, the combination wit a platen and co-operating feed-rolls, of a work-feeding coup e indendent of the platen, mechanism comprising a handle for line-spacingthe platen and concomitantly Iadvancing t e independent feeding couple more than a line-space, a-

stop to limit the normal stroke of the handle to determine the extent of advance of the independent feedinfg terponent settable in rontof the stop to.

shorten the normal stroke of the handle,l

and thereby shorten the advance of the independent feeding couple.

18. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a pllaten and feed-rolls co-operatin therewit of a feeding couple indepen ent of the platen, sweep caring connected directly to .and indepen ently feeding the couple, two handles operable to differentially actuate the gearing in the same couple,; and an indirection, and a clutch to convey the differential movement of the gearing tothe feeding couple.

19. In a. typewriting machine, the combination with a web-feeding couple having fa pinion, of a sweep 'gear always in-train with the pinion, a handlefor operating the gear, a fixed stop to engage lwith the gear in one direction, a stopcarrled by the handle to limit the movement of the handle in the opposite-direction, the gear teeth beingarranged at line-'space intervals and indexed, anda toothed interlock set for permanentlyconnecting the handle to the gear at any tooth position thereof. n i

20. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a Web-feeding couple, including a pinion of a sweep gear having teeth at all times in engagement with the pinion for driving the couple, a handle for operating the gear, a stop to` limit the movement of the gear in one direction, a stop to limit the movement of 'the handle in the Opposlte direction, the gear teeth being arranged atV line-space intervals and indexed, a lock carried by the handle to interfit with the gear teeth permanently for connecting the handle to the gear at any tooth space, and.a.pointer on the lock co-operating with the graduations on the gear to indicate the extent of line-space advance predetermined by the adjustment of the handle.

21. In `a typewritmg machine, the combination with a platen and co-o eratirig feedrolls, o f ari-independent fee ing couple, a-

sweep gear for advancing the independent feeding couple, a projection on thesweep gear,ra. cam-arm in the path of the projection on the sweep gear to be engaged and vrocked by the projection, a pawl-carrier driven by the cam-arm, a pawl on the carrier, and a ratchet fast to the platen and driven by the pawl, the cam-arm having a surface to be engaged by the projection on the sweep gear -to rock the cam-arm a suiiir cient distance to advance the platen approximately a line-space, and a surface concentricx with the sweep gear to permit the cam-armV to remain idle during further advance of the sweep gear. V

22. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a platen and co-operating feedrolls, of an independent feeding` couple, a

swee gear for advancing the independent feed1ngcouple,a projection onthe sweep gear, a cam-arm in the path ofthe projection on the sweep gear to be engaged and rocked by the projection, a pawl-carrier driven bythe cam-arm, apawl on the carrier, ay ratchet fast to the platen and driven by thepawl, the cam-arm having a surface to be engaged by the projection on the sweep gear to rock the cam-arm a sufficient dis- .tance to advancelthe platen approximately fa line-space, and a surface concentric 'with the sweep gear to permit the cam-arm to remainv idle during further advance of the sweep gear, and a stop to. rock the pawl 'out gear, a cam-arm in the path of the projection on the sweep gear to be engaged and rocked by the projection, a pawl-carrier driven by the cam-arm, a pawl on the c'arrier,v a ratchet fast to the platen and driven bythe pawl, `the cam-arm having a surface to'be engaged bythe projection on the sweep gear to rock the cam-arm asufficient distance to advance the platen approximatel `a line-space, and a surface concentric Wit the swee gear to permit the cam-arm to remain id e during further advance of the sweep gear, a stop to rock the pawl out of engagement with the ratchet when the ,platen has been advanceda line-space,- and a detent to regulate the exact extent of the line-space steps of the platen.

24. In a typewriting machine, the combiv nation of aplaten, including means to feed a subordinate web therewith, independent means for feeding a main web around the platen, manual means to continuously actuate the main web-feed a vWork-form dimension, and means,cooperative with the continuousactuation of the main web to actuate and arrest the platen-fed web for a linespace dimension.,4 v j 25. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a platen for typing upon a latenfed subordinate work-web', a pair o feedrolls mounted inde endently of the platen to feed a main w01` -Web around the platenindependently thereof, and means to sweep the mainwork-web by means of said feedrolls and concomitantly advance'the subordinater webA a line-space dimension by means of the'platen. 7

CLARENCE M. CREWS. 

